Assignment:
In your local newspaper, an article was written about the crimes and harms perpetrated against the older population and the lack of protection for many of them. The article ends with the question, “Who is responsible for protecting these individuals?”
Write a 700 to 1,050 word letter to the editor explaining what responsibilities society has for protecting the rights of older adults.
Choose three of the questions below to address in your letter:
- When should families be responsible for related older adults? When should they not? Does this only pertain to immediate family members?
- When should friends or acquaintances be responsible? What if their choices go against the family’s wishes?
- When should hospitals, community service organizations, or other long-term care facilities be allowed to make major decisions for older adult individuals?
- When should the government be responsible for making important decisions? How involved should the government be in protecting the individual?
- Is there ever a circumstance when an older adult does not need outside protection? When would that be? Explain your answers.